The moment you agreed to giving your teenager a car, it is your responsibility to teach them what driving really entails. Teenagers as young as 16 years old are allowed by law to drive. But as parents, you have to be their guide when it comes to driving and vehicle safety. Buying a car also means that you have to get the corresponding car insurance for your teenager along with it. In most states, it is illegal to drive without insurance. So even if driving without coverage is allowed from where you are, it isn't advisable not to get one for your teenager.



Premiums for teenagers vary greatly. And they depend upon the safety factors of the car itself and the person driving it. The kind of vehicle you let your son drive makes a big impact on the prices you are going to pay. Vehicles that are considered prone to accidents by the auto insurance industry are not going to be good for your teenager, especially if you are concerned about coverage costs. But more than that, you should consider the safety of your son or daughter. Keep in mind that they are novice drivers. Cars that are rather hard to handle should not be considered. Don't give your teenager a sports car as his first vehicle, even if you think he deserves it. A reliable sedan would do for a while, until after he learns how it feels like driving on real roads with heavy traffic.

The history and driving knowledge of your teenager is going to be big factor as well. As much as possible, enroll your son to a formal driving school where he can learn not only the basics of driving but the advanced skills required for defensive driving as well. Adequate practice on the road with the experts is going to help a lot too. If your son or daughter is well-versed with road safety, then his car insurance premium will be relatively lower. Good track record and no previous history of traffic violations are going to mean lower car insurance for your teenager too.

You might not know it, but your teenager's grades in school may actually affect the auto insurance premium you'll pay. Teenagers who do well in school are given lower premiums. You're a lucky parent if your teen gets an average of B in school. He'll enjoy low premiums and substantial discounts.

These are the factors affecting car insurance for teenagers. So if you are looking to give your son or daughter a car for his 16th birthday, make sure that you give him conditions patterned along these factors so you'll have peace of mind knowing that your son's or daughter's safety is ensured.